Caribbean

Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands

Integrated Policy and Programming

Building sustainable societies through risk-informed planning

Small Island Developing States like Jamaica, Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are highly vulnerable to natural disasters with serious environmental, social and economic implications. Estimates show an annual average loss of 2 percent of GDP due to disasters in Jamaica and damages caused by hurricane Dorian in 2019 amounted to US$3.4 billion in the Bahamas alone. By preventing, mitigating and preparing, countries and communities will save money, resources and most importantly - lives.

UNDP'S Response

UNDP's helps strengthening resilience in vulnerable areas to boost sustainable socio-economic development and protect natural resources on which the countries highly depend – working with all sectors of society. For example, in the Turks and Caicos, we supported the government to incorporate disaster risk reduction (DRR) into public investment and planning systems and trained over 30 high level officials on mainstreaming DRR into national budgets. In Jamaica, we trained micro, small and medium enterprises owners on DRR and business contingency planning and supported the Government to develop a Continuity of Governance Framework in 2018 to ensure that essential functions continue to be performed during an extreme emergency. Through the newly established Engagement Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDP provided technical support to Bahamas during hurricane Dorian in 2019 and was subsequently requested by the government to manage the National Recovery and Reconstruction Fund which is currently in a nascent stage.

This solution is advancing

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*

Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Stories and Updates

Resilience in the Eye of the Storm

Transitioning to sustainable income opportunities in areas prone to natural disaster

Focal Points

Denise Antonio

Resident Representative

UNDP in Jamaica, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos
Richard Kelly

Programme Specialist

UNDP Jamaica
Ava Whyte Anderson

Programme Analyst

UNDP Jamaica